QB McEvoy headed to USC

Quarterback Tanner McEvoy of Oradell, N.J., has committed to South Carolina.

McEvoy (6-5, 210) played high school football for Bergen Catholic and said he's already looking forward to starting school at USC.

"The football team has been great. The tradition is great. Recruiting class-wise, they've done a great job," he said. "Things are looking forward. It's a great school."

McEvoy threw for 2,264 yards and 32 touchdowns as a senior. He has played receiver and safety before and even played a bit at running back as a freshman.

The Crusaders mostly ran a spread offense, McEvoy said.

"I can run the ball and I can throw the ball. I feel like I do both pretty well," he said. "I feel like I'm just going to get better over the years."

He was being recruited by USC quarterback coach G.A. Mangus and picked USC over North Carolina. He also considered Rutgers, Michigan and Boston College.

His family has ties to Columbia, and he said they became close with Mangus during the recruiting process.

"He's a great quarterback coach and I feel like he'll do a great job with me," McEvoy said. "Obviously Coach Spurrier's a great quarterback coach and great coach in general. Between those two and the players around me, it looks like I can't really go wrong with the South Carolina decision."

McEvoy said he's ready for the tough love that can come from playing under Steve Spurrier.

"Yeah, I'm fine with it," he said. "My high school coach was the same way. Obviously whatever he's done in the past has seemed to work. You have to deal with it."

McEvoy is the 29th commitment for this year's class. He said he struggled with the decision as he became close to some of the Tar Heels' coaches.

"I talked to my family and friends and came to the conclusion that South Carolina would work best for me," he said.

McEvoy said the team's current recruiting class is strong. He plans to enroll at USC in June.

"I think they're giving me a shot to compete with the other players," he said. "Hopefully we can get [Jadeveon] Clowney to join the group."